Ministry of Panchayati Raj Holds Third Outreach Workshop on Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme in Kochi
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India, organized the third Outreach Workshop on the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme in Kochi, Kerala on July 7, 2026, in collaboration with the Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala. The workshop was conducted in hybrid mode with participation from representatives of more than 210 Panchayats in person and nearly 600 Panchayats joining virtually from across Kerala, totaling over 800 participants.
Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, described the programme as a transformative initiative to strengthen Panchayats by enhancing their own source of revenue, promoting sustainable financial management, and enabling them to harness local opportunities for inclusive development. He emphasized that Panchayats play a pivotal role in mobilizing communities and accelerating the journey towards Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Shri K. M. Shaji, Minister for Local Self Government Department, Government of Kerala, emphasized that financially empowered Panchayats are essential for effective grassroots governance and noted the importance of strengthening their own-source revenue for long-term sustainability. Smt. Tinku Biswal, Principal Secretary, highlighted Kerala's strong institutional framework for local governance and capacity building.
Dr. N. Devidas, Director General of KILA, explained how continuous training and institutional support have strengthened democratic decentralization in Kerala. Dr. Divya S. Iyer, Principal Director, urged Panchayats to adopt a long-term development vision by identifying local priorities and preparing professional project proposals for integration into Gram Panchayat Development Plans.
Representatives from NABARD and HUDCO highlighted the institutional support available under the programme, encouraging Panchayats to develop technically sound and financially viable projects capable of generating sustainable revenue. They detailed the technical assistance, project appraisal, and financing support available for eligible proposals.
The workshop featured interactive Q&A sessions with Shri Vivek Bharadwaj and technical sessions covering the operational framework, eligibility criteria, preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), project financing, convergence with existing Government schemes, and the Challenge Mode process for submission and evaluation of innovative revenue-generating project proposals.
Implemented under the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), the Atmanirbhar Panchayat Programme seeks to promote financially self-reliant Panchayats by enabling them to unlock the economic potential of local resources and public assets. Selected Panchayats will receive technical support to develop bankable projects, with financing facilitated through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), institutional finance, and convergence with Government schemes.
The Kochi workshop forms part of the Ministry's nationwide outreach campaign to build awareness, strengthen institutional capacity, and encourage Panchayats to adopt innovative approaches for sustainable local economic development and enhanced own-source revenue generation.